Of Sylven and Spudnuts:
Twice in the past month, I’ve heard from different Division I head coaches about a rumor that star Virginia basketball player Sylven Landesberg is -- or was -- thinking about transferring.
I immediately dismissed the rumor because, if Landesberg views himself as a future NBA player, why would he be contemplating a move that would extend his college career? Read more »
Four Virginia Tech players had signed NFL free-agent contracts as of midafternoon Monday.
The quartet includes defensive end Orion Martin (Miami), quarterback Sean Glennon (Minnesota), center Ryan Shuman (Green Bay) and fullback Devin Perez (Cincinnati).
Jon Copper, a walk-on linebacker from Roanoke who had more than 300 tackles in his University of Virginia football career, said Monday morning that he has accepted an invitation to go to Green Bay this weekend for a Packers' mini-camp.
Agent Sunny Shah said Sunday night that Virginia inside linebacker Antonio Appleby from Virginia Beach has accepted a free-agent deal with the New England Patriots.
"We were in dialogue the whole time," said Shah, who also represents UVa offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, a first-round pick.
"He was one of the first [free agents] they signed. He was a priority."
-- Doug Doughty
The agent for Virginia wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, who passed up his final season of college eligibility after recording a team-high 58 receptions in 2008, has accepted a free-agent offer from the Cowboys according to agent Joe Flanagan.
Asked for his reaction to Ogletree not being drafted, Flanagan said, "You know what? I don't have any comment now about anything."
It was the second time in five years that a prominent UVa underclassmen had made himself available for the NFL Draft and not been chosen. Linebacker Kai Parham went that route after making first-team All-ACC in 2005 and never played professionally.
Virginia Tech cornerback Macho Harris was selected in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's second day of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Harris was the 157th player taken in the 256-player draft. Harris was projected to go earlier in the draft, but his poor showing at the NFL combine in February sparked a slip down the board. Harris, a second-team All-American last season, was the 24th defensive back taken in the draft.
BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech presented its annual spring football awards during the halftime of Saturday's Maroon-White game at Lane Stadium, which was won by the Maroon, 13-7.
PAUL TORGERSEN AWARD (top spring newcomers) -- TB Ryan Williams, WR Xavier Boyce.
PRESIDENT'S AWARD (leadership) -- QB Tyrod Taylor , FS Kam Chancellor.
DR. RICHARD BULLOCK AWARD (most improved) -- C Michael Via, OT Andrew Lanier, G Greg Nosal, LB Jake Johnson.
FRANK O. MOSELEY AWARD (most hustle) -- C Beau Warren, LB Cody Grimm.
DON WILLIAMS TEAM UNITED AWARD (putting team first in during spring) -- OT Ed Wang, DL John Graves.
COACHES AWARD (exceptional spring performance) -- TE Chris Drager, DT Demetrius Taylor.
GEORGE PREAS AWARD (most valuable performers) -- QB Tyrod Taylor, DE Nekos Brown.
-- RANDY KING
Caleb Farris and his family have been attending a couple of Virginia Tech football games every fall for the past 10 years. Well, the Farris clan will be spending a lot more time in Lane Stadium in the near future.
When walk-on Matt Snyder went deep for a pass late in Virginia’s 2008 spring game, I’ll confess that I wondered if the Cavaliers were trying to catch the attention of his uncommitted younger brother, Jake.
It was more significant this past Saturday when Matt Snyder caught five passes for 55 yards and there was no need to impress Jake, a promising defensive lineman who signed a letter-of-intent with the Cavaliers in February.
BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and his staff will have their fingers crossed that the Hokies can avoid any more injuries in Saturday's Maroon-White spring game at Lane Stadium.
Tech saw two players go down with injuries in last Saturday's second full scrimmage, losing projected starting right guard Jaymes Brooks to a high left ankle sprain and backup defensive tackle Courtney Prince to a torn right ACL.
